Orecchiette Turnip Greens
Orecchiette pasta, made with turnip greens: flavorful, and hearty dish comes from a peasant tradition.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh or dry orecchiette
- ½ lb turnip greens (leaves and floret)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 clove of garlic
- 3 salt- or oil-packed anchovy fillets
- 2 tbsp black olive paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt
Instructions
- Clean the turnip greens: discard the external larger leaves and the stalks. With the help of a sharp knife, remove the soft leaves and the florets.
- Properly rinse them under running water, dry them, and put them aside.
- Fill a large stockpot with plenty of salted water and bring to a boil.
- When the water boils, add the turnip greens and cook for 5 minutes.
- Toast the breadcrumbs until golden over medium heat in a pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Rinse the anchovies under running water to wash off the salt and oil.
- In another pan heat the remaining oil, add the red pepper flakes, the unpeeled garlic clove, and the anchovy fillets. Sauté over medium-low heat; otherwise; the high temperature will make the oil and the anchovies bitter. Simmer it very very slowly.
- Stir with a wooden spoon until the anchovy fillets have melted; Cook for a few minutes, remove from the heat, and discard the garlic. If you are vegan, you can add black olive paste as a substitute for the anchovy.
- After the turnip greens have cooked for 5 minutes, add the orecchiette and follow the cooking time on the package; stir gently.
- When done, drain orecchiette with the turnip greens; remember to save a scoop of cooking water: you may need it in case the sauce gets too thick. Pour them into the pan with the anchovy sauce.
- Sauté gently and season with salt.
- Taste it and see if it needs some more oil.
- Remove it from the heat, place the orecchiette in bowls, and top with a drizzle of olive oil and the toasted breadcrumbs. This is a special dish that you must share with your family.
Nutrition
Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg